What is the Athens service?

Athens is the access management service used by Swansea University. Multifarious web-based services throughout the UK and overseas use Athens to identify you as a member of Swansea University and to authorise your access to Athens protected resources.

  

What is AthensDA?

AthensDA is a new version of Athens which is now being used at Swansea University. Your Athens account is now the same as the username and password you use to log on to a Library and Information Services networked computer at Swansea University.

Accessing Athens protected resources in this way has been available during the past academic year while the new system was being tested. The new system will initially be introduced to all students and gradually all staff.

The system works by setting a cookie on the computer you are using.

  

How do I set a cookie on my pc?

You can set this cookie by clicking here. You should only need to set the cookie once on each computer that you use.

  

How do I remove a cookie from my pc?

Should you wish to remove the Athens service cookie from your computer please click here.

 

Can I use my 'classic' Athens account?

The AthensDA system was introduced at Swansea University in the summer of 2005. You may have an Athens account that you have been using, a 'classic' Athens account. You can still use this account to log on to resources that use Athens but only for a short time during the transition between systems. We will be removing these accounts.

  

Can I keep my 'classic' Athens account if I have created alerts and searches with databases?

If you have set up alerts and searches with several databases you will have to create them for use with your new account. See the following questions for more information about Crossfire and Digimap.

In some instances we may be able to maintain your 'classic' Athens account if you have significant legacy material. Please contact the information desk in the main library at Swansea University.

Tel: 01792 295697 or e.mail: library@swansea.ac.uk

  

If I am registered for a database will my new account work?

There are some databases which require your to register your Athens username and password. You will need to re-register for these databases.

• CrossFire. Staff who are already registered for CrossFire can continue using their account until the new system has been introduced for staff. Student users of Crossfire will have to register their new Athens account here: http://www.mimas.ac.uk/crossfire/regn_da.html. New CrossFire users should use this page to register for CrossFire.
• Digimap. Staff who are already registered for Digimap can continue using their account until the new system has been introduced for staff. Student users of Digimap will have to register their new Athens account with Digimap: http://digimap.edina.ac.uk/main/index.jsp.

  

If I change my Novell password, will I have to register for Science Direct etc. or do they recognise the username?

If you change your password, the Athens protected resources, such as Science Direct will recognise the new password. You will not need to register again for the service. Athens users will be encouraged to change their password.

  

What if I want to use my Athens account from work but there is some security feature, such as a firewall that prevents me setting the cookie on my pc?

You may want to use your Athens account in your work place (outside Swansea University). However, you may not be able to use your account in your work place because of some security features in your work place. If you cannot follow the instructions described on the main Athens page, you may be able to use a classic account. Please contact the information desk in the main library at Swansea University.

Tel: 01792 295697 or e.mail: library@swansea.ac.uk

  

What is a cookie?

A cookie is used to identify you (or your computer) as a Swansea University user. The cookie needs only be set once on the computer you use regularly to access Athens protected resources. You do not need to do this if you are using an Open Access computer in Library and Information Services.

Please consult the Eduserv Athens Privacy Policy for more information about cookies.